Device for at least partially closing an opening of a cooking vessel, cooking vessel system and kitchen machine

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device (10) for at least partially closing an opening (5) of a cooking vessel (2), having a support element (11) which can be brought to rest on an opening edge (6) of the opening (5) of the cooking vessel (2), and a plug-in element (12) which can be inserted at least partially through the opening (5), characterized in that the plug-in element (12) has a locking means (13) which can be brought into a locking position (I) in which the locking means (13) interacts with the opening edge (6), so that pulling out (205) of the plug-in element (12) is prevented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European application no. 18 153303.5 filed on Jan. 24, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for at least partially closing anopening of a cooking vessel, a cooking vessel and a food processor.

2. Background

State-of-the-art cooking vessels are known which have a lid to containheat and/or pressure in the cooking vessel. However, it is often adisadvantage that the cooking vessel either has to be completely closedor the lid has to be completely removed. Alternatively, in such cases auser often only has the option of placing the lid at an angle to thecooking vessel, but an opening gap is imprecise and splashing of liquidis not prevented.

In particular with automatically or semi-automatically operable kitchenmachines, however, it is desirable to standardize a cooking result andthus also to maintain the pressure and heat conditions within thecooking vessel as defined as possible. From the state of the art it istherefore known, for example from DE 10 2014 100 967 A1 and DE 10 2010017 387 A1, that a lid for a cooking vessel of a food processor isprovided with an opening on which a closure element can be placed sothat part of the opening is closed and at the same time steam, i.e. inparticular heat and/or pressure, can escape from the cooking vessel.

Under certain pressure and/or heat conditions, the closure element maylift off from the cooking vessel, which may result in an audible noisethat can be perceived negatively by the user. It is also desirable toprotect the opening from inadvertent removal of the closure element toensure the required environmental conditions within the cooking vesselduring cooking.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate at least some ofthe previously known disadvantages from the state of the art. Inparticular, it is an object of the present invention to improve an atleast partial closure of an opening in a cooking vessel, particularly ina food processor, during the cooking process.

The above object is solved by a device with the characteristics of claim1, a cooking vessel system with the characteristics of claim 14 and afood processor with the characteristics of claim 15.

Further characteristics and details of the invention result from thedependent claims, the description and the drawings. Characteristics anddetails which have been described in connection with the deviceconforming to the invention naturally also apply in connection with thecooking vessel system conforming to the invention and/or the foodprocessor conforming to the invention and vice versa, so that withregard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention,mutual reference is or can always be made.

In accordance with the invention, the device for at least partiallyclosing an opening of a cooking vessel has a support element which canbe brought to rest on an opening edge of the opening of the cookingvessel. Furthermore, the device has a plug-in element which can beinserted at least partially through the opening. The plug-in elementalso has a locking means which can be brought into a locking position inwhich the locking means interacts with the opening edge to prevent theplug-in element from being pulled out.

In particular, the locking device can thus be positioned at the openingedge in such a way that pulling the plug-in element out of the openingis prevented. Preferably, a positive and/or a frictional connection cantherefore be produced in the locking position by the locking agent. Inthe context of the invention, the fact that the plug-in element isprevented from being pulled out in the locking position can preferablybe understood to mean that the device is removed from the cooking vesselvertically, i.e. parallel to a central axis of the opening. This meansthat the support element can advantageously be used to ensure that thedevice can be positioned on the opening edge and does not fall throughthe opening. The blocking agent can act in the opposite direction to thesupport element so that the device can only be removed from the cookingvessel under certain conditions.

The plug-in element may preferably have a section connecting the supportelement and the locking means. In particular, the opening and/or theplug-in element may be cylindrical in shape in order to ensure an evenclosure of at least part of the opening. A positive locking of thelocking means with the opening edge is conceivable, for example, by abayonet lock, wherein recesses through which the locking means can beinserted are provided on at least one side, preferably on two sides, ofthe opening, so that the locking means can be positioned below theopening edge upon rotation of the plug-in element and/or the device.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the form closure can be achieved bytilting the device.

The fact that the plug-in element has the locking means enables to closethe opening at least partially, so that, for example, only a definedarea or no area at all is permeable to steam, and at the same time tosecure the device at the edge of the opening. This may, for example,prevent a user from unintentionally removing the device if, for example,the user bumps into the device. Furthermore, in the case of anoverpressure in the cooking vessel, the blocking means may cause thedevice not to move or only to move in a specific range, in particular inorder to release the overpressure. At the same time, a splash guard canbe maintained by the device so that the contents of the cooking vesseldo not leave the device uncontrolled even in the event of overpressure.

In the case of a device according to the invention, it is alsoconceivable that, in the locking position, the support element can bebrought to rest on a first side of the opening edge and, in the lockingposition, the locking means can be positioned on a second side of theopening edge, so that the plug-in element with the locking means and thesupport element engage at least partially around the opening edge.Preferably, the plug-in element with the blocking agent and the supportelement can only partially grasp the opening edge, so that steam canescape from the cooking vessel to the side of the blocking agent. Inparticular, the device can thus be configured to only partially closethe opening of the cooking vessel. By gripping the device around theedge of the opening, a positive locking can be easily achieved in orderto achieve a fastening effect by means of a positive locking. In thelocking position, the plug-in element may preferably be arrangedcentrally, i.e. in particular centered, in the opening in order toenable the locking effect of the locking agent. In the context of theinvention, it can also be understood that the plug element with thelocking means and the support element at least partially surround theopening edge in such a way that the locking means and the supportelement are each in contact with the opening edge from one side or thatonly the support element or the locking means is in contact with theopening edge in the locking position. It is conceivable, for example,that when the support element rests on the opening edge, a clearance,i.e. a distance between the blocking means and the opening edge, isprovided within which the device can move along a central axis of theopening, in particular to be able to react to changing pressureconditions within the cooking vessel. This means that a defined cookingresult can be achieved at the same time by gripping the plug-in elementwith the locking device and the support element around the opening edge.In particular, the locking means may have at least one locking element,preferably in the form of a locking hook, which, in the lockingposition, can engage behind the opening edge and thereby prevent theplug-in element from being pulled out of the opening, in particular bypositive locking. The locking element, in particular each lockingelement, may advantageously have a length of less than 5 mm, preferablyless than 4 mm, preferably less than 2 mm.

In the context of the invention it is further conceivable that in theblocking position a free space is formed at least in regions around theplug-in element, in particular between the blocking means and thesupport element, whereby the plug-in element can be moved in thedirection of the opening edge, so that the blocking means can be broughtinto a release position in which the blocking means can be released orreleased at least partially from the opening edge. Thus the plug-inelement can have a circumferential area, which in particular can formpart of the outer wall of the device. The circumferential area may alsohave a smaller diameter than the opening so that the clearance is atleast partially maintained even when the device is inserted into theopening. The free space can thus also be described as a bulge or recess.The free space allows the plug-in element to move within the opening,which can be used in particular by a user of the device to move thedevice between the blocking position and the release position. The freespace can thus enable the opening edge to engage in the free space inthe release position, so that the device is positioned in the openingopposite the free space in such a way that it can be brought into aposition, for example by a tilting movement, in which it is possible topull the plug-in element out of the opening. Accordingly, the free spacecan be used to insert the device into the opening by means of a tiltingmovement. This results in a simple, intuitive operation of the device,which at the same time enables a fastening which prevents the pullingout of the opening of the plug-in element.

It is advantageous that at least one positioning means can be providedon the plug-in element of a device in accordance with the invention, bymeans of which the plug-in element can be centered in the opening.Preferably two, three or four positioning means can be provided. The atleast one positioning means may advantageously be ribbed so that steamcan escape from the cooking vessel laterally of the at least onepositioning means, while the at least one positioning means in theblocking position can preferably be brought into contact with theopening edge. In particular, the at least one positioning means can beelastically deformable so that when the plug-in element moves in thedirection of the opening edge, the positioning means deflects in andautomatically allows centering in the opening if, for example, a userdoes not apply an external force to the device. By means of at least onepositioning means, a uniform steam outlet between the plug-in elementand the opening edge can thus be achieved in a defined manner and at thesame time a reliable positioning of the device or the blocking elementin the blocking position can be achieved.

Preferably, the support element of a device conforming to the inventionmay have a collar which completely encloses the plug-in element. Thecollar can thus provide a splash guard which prevents uncontrolledspraying of ingredients and/or foodstuff from the opening of the cookingvessel, at least in the blocking position. At the same time, the collarmakes it easy to realize the function of the support element for restingon the opening edge, so that the collar can fulfil several functions.This can result in a particularly simple design of the device, so thatthe manufacturing costs can be low.

It is also conceivable that, in a device according to the invention, thesupport element has a stand-on-device with which the support element canbe brought to rest on the edge of the opening. Preferably, thestand-on-device may have at least one interruption, the support elementbeing at a distance from the opening edge in the region of theinterruption when it is resting on the opening edge. The stand-on-devicemay also preferably be located on the collar, in particular on the outerdiameter of the collar, and/or have a height of less than 5 mm,preferably less than 4 mm. In addition, it is advantageous for thestand-on-device to have at least partially a cross-section taperingtowards the contact surface, so that even on an inclined surface therisk of tipping is reduced and a defined standing is ensured. Thestand-on-device may preferably be made of an elastic material, inparticular to improve acoustics when the stand-on-device vibrates. Theinterruption of the stand-on-device may also allow steam to escape pastthe stand-on-device if the stand-on-device rests on the opening edge. Atthe same time, the interruption may result in a defined steam outletbased on the interruption width of the interruption.

In the case of a device in accordance with the invention, it may also beprovided that a functional element extends from the support element,which can be grasped by a user when the support element rests on theedge of the opening. Thus, the functional element can comprise a handle,which in particular projects from the support element or extendsparallel or substantially parallel to the support element, so that arecess in the handle can be engaged in order to remove the device, e.g.from the cooking vessel. In addition or alternatively, the functionalelement can include a wall which the user can grasp to remove the devicefrom the cooking vessel. The wall may preferably allow further functionsof the device.

The invention may also provide for a first material and a secondmaterial. Preferably, the first material may have a lower hardness thanthe second material and/or the support element may have the firstmaterial and the functional element the second material. In particular,the first and/or the second material, in particular each, may comprise aplastics material. The hardness of the first and/or second material canpreferably be understood as a Shore hardness. In particular, the devicecan thus be configured as a 2K plastic injection-molded part. On the onehand this can result in low manufacturing costs and on the other handtwo materials can be combined advantageously. For example, it isconceivable that the first and second materials differ in theirtemperature coefficients, so that, for example, the first material has ahigher thermal diffusivity than the second material. Thus, thefunctional element, for example, can still be within the reach of a userat a comfortable temperature even when the device is exposed to heat. Ifthe first material has a lower hardness than the second material, it isalso possible that, for example, the first material has asound-absorbing effect, while the second material may have a higherresistance to environmental influences. This can, for example, increasethe service life of the functional element with the second material,while at the same time providing advantageous characteristics of thedevice in terms of acoustic properties during the operation of thecooking vessel, i.e. in particular during a cooking process. Preferablythose sections of the device which can be brought into contact with theopening edge when the device is used as intended may have the firstmaterial.

It is also conceivable that a device which is in keeping with theinvention may be equipped with a surface with which the device can beplaced away from the cooking vessel. Preferably, the plug-in element canhave the storage space and/or the storage space can have anti-slipprotection. The surface can provide a defined position for the devicewhen the device is placed away from the cooking vessel, e.g. next to thecooking vessel. This allows, for example, a defined placement of thedevice in a kitchen shelf, so that a positive impression of a user ofthe device can be promoted. In particular, the floor space maysimultaneously close an area of the opening in the locked position. Inparticular, the storage space can form an end area of the plug-inelement. The anti-slip protection, which can be provided as acircumferential soft component and/or made of the first material, forexample, can also improve the stability of the device away from thecooking vessel. In particular, the storage space can be particularlyadvantageous if the device can be filled at least partially.

In the context of the invention, it is also conceivable that a steampath can be formed when the support element rests on the opening edge byat least one positioning means and/or by the interruption with theopening edge. The plug-in element and/or the collar may preferably bearranged at a distance from the edge of the opening by at least onepositioning means and/or by the stand-on-device. The steam path can thusbe defined by the formation of the steam path, in particular so thatcooking conditions within the cooking vessel can be standardized ordefined. Thus, it can be determined in advance which cooking effect canbe achieved at which temperature and/or pressure conditions within thecooking vessel. Furthermore, the steam path can be used to provide aminimum exchange of foodstuff and/or ingredient storage space within thecooking vessel with the environment, preferably without the need to lifta splash guard. Preferably the steam can therefore leave the cookingvessel, in particular through the free space, past the positioningmeans, through the interruption, while the device at least partiallycloses the opening. This can result in a combination of the most diversefunctions of the aforementioned components, which together enable thesteam path and thus improve the overall cooking experience for the user.

In the case of a device conforming to the invention, it is alsoconceivable that the plug-in element and/or the functional element forma cavity which can be filled with an ingredient. The cavity may alsopreferably have a chute through which the ingredient can be poured fromthe cavity and/or the cavity may preferably have a level indicator. Thechute may preferably be arranged in relation to the interruption orinterruptions in such a way that the chute is a visible indicator to auser of a steam outlet direction in which steam can escape from theopening below the support element. The cavity can thus be understood asa vessel space which can be filled with the ingredient. The levelindicator may preferably include a label and/or a set-off interior ofthe cavity through which a user can deduce a quantity of ingredientsfilled into the cavity. For example, the lettering can include amilliliter specification or the offset interior can indicate amilliliter specification. Preferably, a measuring cup is integrated intothe device. Thus, further advantageous functions can be realized by theplug-in element and/or the functional element. In particular, themeasuring cup characteristics in the device may provide a high level ofuser comfort, in particular since the device is located in the vicinityof the cooking vessel anyway and can be easily removed during thecooking process, so that the opening simultaneously allows access to thecooking vessel, which in particular can be restricted at the same time.For example, restricted access may mean that the opening is only a smalldiameter through which a user cannot easily reach with his hand. Thismay increase the safety of the food processor and/or the cooking vessel.

Preferably, in a device according to the invention, the cavity canproject at least partially into the plug-in element, in particularwherein the cavity on the plug-in element has a first diameter and onthe functional element a second diameter, wherein the first diameter issmaller than the second diameter. This means that a separate interiorcan be created which can also be used as a fill level indicator. Inaddition, the already existing installation space of the plug-in elementcan be used to form the cavity and thus enable, for example, a measuringcup characteristic of the device. If the second diameter on thefunctional element is also larger than the first diameter on the plug-inelement, the installation space of the device can also be optimized,since, for example, the functional element can be arranged on thesupport element, which preferably also has a larger diameter than theplug-in element, in order to enable it to rest on the opening edge.

Within the scope of the invention, the device is preferably configuredas a measuring cup. Thus the device can also be called a measuring cup,whereby the device simultaneously enables the function of a closingelement of the cooking vessel. This results in a variety of advantageousfunctions for a user in a single component, so that the user, forexample, can do without a separate measuring cup and thus save space inthe kitchen cupboard, for example.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cooking vessel system isclaimed. The cooking vessel system has a cooking vessel for thereception of ingredients. A device in accordance with the invention isprovided through which an opening of the cooking vessel in a blockingposition can be at least partially closed or at least partially closed.

The opening may preferably be provided in a cover element of areceptacle of the cooking vessel. Preferably, foodstuff can be heated inthe recording room, so that the recording room can also be referred toas the cooking room. The cover element may be provided in one piece witha wall of the receiving space or at least partially form the wall of thereceiving space. Alternatively, the cover element can be part of aseparate cover component, by means of which the cooking vessel or thereceptacle can be partially closed. Preferably the cover component canhave the opening. This may allow the cooking vessel to be openedcompletely, preferably on the top side, when the lid component isremoved. At the same time it is possible, for example, to close the lidcomponent during the cooking process of the cooking vessel, so that theupper filling opening of the cooking vessel is partially blocked and theopening of the cover element, however, still allows, for example, theaddition of ingredients. At the same time, the opening of the coverelement can be dimensioned in such a way that a user cannot reach intothe cooking vessel if it is closed by the lid component. This canincrease the safety of the cooking vessel system. The locking device canadvantageously have a diameter which is larger than the opening diameterof the opening. In particular, the diameter of the barrier may be lessthan 1 mm, preferably less than 0.6 mm, preferably less than 3 mm,greater than the diameter of the opening. This means that it may not benecessary to move the plug-in element far to reach the release position.This in turn can have a positive effect on the intuitive operation ofthe device by the user.

According to another aspect of the invention, a food processor is usedto prepare foodstuff, whereby the food processor has an agitator formixing ingredients. Furthermore, the agitator is arranged in a cookingvessel system according to claim 14. The agitator may preferably belocated at the bottom or top of the cooking vessel system in a cookingvessel of the cooking vessel system. The agitator may enable automaticmixing of the ingredients, so that the agitator and the cooking vesselsystem, in particular an inventive device of the cooking vessel system,may enable a defined cooking result. At the same time, the inventivecooking vessel system can increase the safety of the agitator so that auser cannot easily reach into the agitator when the agitator isactivated.

Thus, a system of cooking vessels and/or a food processor in conformitywith the invention has the same advantages as those described in detailin relation to a device in conformity with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further measures to improve the invention result from the followingdescription of some embodiments of the invention, which are shownschematically in the figures. All features and/or advantages resultingfrom the claims, the description or the drawings, including designdetails, spatial arrangements and process steps, may be essential to theinvention both in themselves and in various combinations. It should benoted that the figures are only descriptive and are not intended torestrict the invention in any way. It is shown:

FIG. 1 is a cut, schematic view of the device according to the inventionin a first embodiment,

FIGS. 2a to 2c are schematic views of the possible steam output of thedevice of the first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of the device of the first embodiment,

FIGS. 4a to 4e show a process of fixing or removing the device of thefirst embodiment to or from a cover element,

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a device according to the invention,according to another embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a kitchen machine according to theinvention with a cooking vessel according to the invention in anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In the following figures, the identical reference signs are used for thesame technical characteristics, even of different embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an inventive device 10 for at least partially closing anopening 5 of a cooking vessel 2, the device 10 being inserted into theopening 5 in the view shown in FIG. 1. The device 10 has a supportelement 11 which is placed on an opening edge 6 of the opening 5 of thecooking vessel 2. For this purpose, the support element 11 further has astand-on-device 17 in the form of an at least partially circumferentialrib which tapers in cross-section towards the stand-on surface by meansof which the stand-on-device 17 rests on the opening edge 6. The supportelement 11 is also connected, in particular in one piece, to a plug-inelement 12, the plug-in element 12 being inserted at least partiallythrough the opening 5. In order to prevent the plug-in element 12 frombeing pulled out of the opening 5, the plug-in element 12 also has alocking means 13, which is shown in a locking position I. In the lockingposition I the locking means 13 interacts with the opening edge 6 insuch a way that pulling out 205 of the plug-in element 12 out of theopening 5 is prevented. For this purpose, the support element 11 and theplug-in element 12 with the locking means 13 embrace the opening edge 6at least partially, so that in the locking position I a positive lockingof the locking means 13 with the opening edge 6 is produced. The supportelement 11 is brought to rest with the support means 17 on a first side6.1 of the opening edge 6, while at least one blocking element 13.1,preferably two blocking elements 13.1, of the blocking means 13 ispositioned in the form of a catch hook on a second side 6.2 of theopening edge 6. However, the locking means 13 has a clearance, i.e. adistance from the opening edge 6, so that the device 10 remains movablewith respect to the cooking vessel 2. At least in some areas between thelocking means 13 and the support element 11 there is also a free space14 around the plug-in element 12 and in the locking position I betweenthe plug-in element 12 and the opening edge 6. In this free space 14,steam 30 can escape from the inside of cooking vessel 2 to the outside,whereby steam 30 flows along a steam path. The steam path 22 runsthrough the free space 14 and below a collar 16 of the support element11. In addition to the functionality of the steam path 22, the collar 16also offers a splash guard so that when foodstuff is prepared in cookingvessel 2, it does not splash out of cooking vessel 2. Furthermore, thesteam path 22 is formed by interruptions 18 which are provided in thestand-on-device 17, so that the support element 11 in the region of theinterruptions 18 in the blocking position I has to the opening edge 6 orto a covering element 4 of the cooking vessel 2. This allows the steam30 to escape in a defined way even when steam develops in cooking vessel2. This can improve the cooking conditions in cooking vessel 2 so thatthey are also defined and also protect the surroundings of cookingvessel 2 from uncontrolled steam. Due to variations in pressure and/ortemperature inside the cooking vessel 2, the device may be subject to 10movements, in particular vibrations, even in the locking position I. Inparticular, the device 10 therefore comprises a first material 101 and asecond material 102, preferably the first material 101 having a lowerhardness than the second material 102. In particular, thestand-on-device 17 and/or an anti-slip 21 may comprise the firstmaterial 101 or consist of the first material 101. Preferably, the firstmaterial 101 can extend at least regionally, in particular as aconnected region, over the collar 16 and a storage space 20 of thedevice 10. The anti-slip device 21 can preferably be arranged on thestorage space 20, whereby the storage space 20 preferably forms a floorsection of the plug-in element 12, which at least partially closes theplug-in element 12. The storage space 20, in particular the anti-slip21, enables to safely park the device 10 in a defined position away fromthe cooking vessel 2. This favors the use of the device 10 as ameasuring cup. For this purpose the device 10 further has a cavity 23which is formed by a functional element 19 and the plug-in element 12.In particular, the cavity 23 can be formed by means of the secondmaterial 102 in order to ensure a high resistance to liquids inside thecavity 23. Function element 19 can also be used by a user to grip device10 so that it can still be removed safely and conveniently from theopening edge 6 even if steam escapes below collar 16. Thus the cavity 23can preferably be filled with ingredients, so that the device 10 can beremoved from the cooking vessel 2 and thus the opening 5 can be opened.When opening 5 is enabled, it can be provided that the device 10 isfilled with ingredients in accordance with a quantity specified, forexample, by a recipe, and these ingredients can be added to the cookingvessel 2 through opening 5. The opening 5 is preferably dimensioned sothat the user cannot reach into the cooking vessel 2 with his handthrough opening 5. This can increase the safety of the cooking vessel 2,especially if it is used in a food processor 1 with a stirrer 7. Inorder to improve the measuring cup functionality, the device 10 may alsohave a level indicator 25, in particular in the cavity 23, whereby thelevel indicator 25 may advantageously include a marking and/or aparagraph. The label and/or paragraph allows a user to estimate aquantity of ingredients already filled into the cavity 23. The paragraphmay, for example, be formed by the fact that the cavity 23 on the insertelement 12 has a first diameter 103 and on the functional element 10 asecond diameter 104, the first diameter 103 preferably being smallerthan the second diameter 104. In order to be able to pour theingredients in a comfortable manner from the device 10 or the cavity 23,respectively, the functional element 19 advantageously has a chute 24.

FIGS. 2a to 2c also show the inventive device 10 of the first embodimentin further views or positions. FIG. 2a shows a steam outlet of steam 30in a defined first steam outlet direction 211 below the device 10 alonga cover element 4 of the cooking vessel 2, wherein the cover element 4closes a receiving space 3 of the cooking vessel 2 at least in regions.In particular, the cover element 4 is configured as a separate componentfrom the receiving space 3. The cavity 23 is shown in the upwardly openposition, whereby it is also conceivable that the cavity 23 is open inthe locking position I to the receptacle 3 of the cooking vessel 2. FIG.2b shows the invented device 10 after a rotary movement 210, wherebyhowever the device 10 with the locking means 13 is still in the lockingposition I and thus fastened to the cover element 4. Due to the rotationof 210 by 90°, however, the first steam outlet direction 211 in a secondsteam outlet direction 212 has also been adjusted by 90°. This allowsthe user to set the steam outlet direction according to the orientationof the cooking vessel 2 by rotating 210 the device 10. Preferably thechute 24 is arranged to the interruptions 18 in such a way that thechute 24 is a visible indicator for the user of the steam outletdirection 211, 212. For this purpose, the chute 24 can preferably bearranged essentially in the middle of the interruptions 18. FIG. 2cfurther shows the device 10 of the first embodiment, where the lockingmeans 13 rests against the opening edge 6 so that the stand-on-device 17is spaced from the opening edge 6. This can, for example, represent asituation in which a high overpressure is present in the cooking vessel2, through which the device 10 lifts off relative to the opening edge 6and thereby releases an enlarged cross-section for the outlet of steam30 below the stand-on-device 17 or the interruptions 18. At the sametime, however, the blocking agent 13 can be used to ensure that thedevice 10 does not completely detach from the cover element 4 or fromthe cooking vessel 2.

FIG. 3 also shows a plan view from below of the inventive device 10 ofthe first embodiment, whereby device 10 in the illustration of FIG. 3 isdetached from cover element 4. Positioning means 15 in the form of fourribs are also shown. The positioning means 15 extend from the plug-inelement 12 and from the support element 11 into the free space 14. Ifthe plug-in element 12 is pushed through the opening 5, the positioningmeans 15 act with the opening edge 6 so that the plug-in element 12 iscentered in the opening 5. In addition, the positioning means 15preferably have the first material 101, so that the positioning means 15are elastically deformable.

FIGS. 4a to 4c also show an insertion of the device 10 of the firstembodiment into the opening 5 of the cover element 4. For this purpose,the device 10 is first brought into a tilting position III according toFIG. 4a , in which the locking means 13, which is set obliquely thereby,fits through the opening 5, in particular with at least one or with bothlocking elements 13.1. The device 10 can be inserted into the opening 5under a first tilting movement 201. To position the support element 11on the opening edge 6, insertion 202 of the plug-in element 12 throughthe opening 5 as shown in FIG. 4b . During the insertion 202 or duringthe first tilting movement 201, which can preferably be carried out incombination, two of the positioning means 15 also come into contact withthe opening edge 6 and spring in elastically. In particular, the lockingmeans 13 is in a release position II. As soon as the user releases thedevice 10, according to FIG. 4c , the positioning means 15 automaticallycenters 203 by springing it back into its original shape and/orposition. The positioning means 15 opposite the spring-loadedpositioning means 15 also ensure that a central position of the device10 is maintained in relation to the opening 5. This corresponds to thelocking position I, whereby the locking means 13 at least partiallyprovides a positive locking with the opening edge 6. FIG. 4d shows thebeginning of an opening movement of the device 10, wherein first thedevice 10 is moved opposite to centering 203 in such a way that theopening edge 6 penetrates into the free space 14 of the device 10 sothat a release position II is reached in which the locking element 13can be released from the opening edge 6. Then, by means of a secondtilting movement 204, the locking device 13 can be moved through opening5, so that finally, according to FIG. 4e , the device 10 can be pulledout 205 of opening 5. While pulling out 205, the device 10 is preferablyin a tilting position III again.

FIG. 5 also shows a device according to the invention 10 in a schematicplan view, which is at least partially inserted through an opening 5 ofa cooking vessel 2. The device 10 has a locking means 13, which can beinserted straight through recesses 5.1 of the opening 5. A rotarymovement 210 can then transfer the locking element 13 from a releaseposition II to a locking position I (dashed), in which the locking means13 produces a positive locking with an opening edge 6 of the opening 5and the device 10 is thus secured in the opening 5.

FIG. 6 also shows a kitchen machine 1, which comprises a cooking vesselsystem 8, in another embodiment. An agitator 7 of the kitchen machine 1for the automatic or semi-automatic preparation of foodstuff is arrangedin the cooking vessel system 8, in particular on the bottom side of acooking vessel 2. The cooking vessel 2 also has a receptacle 3 forreceiving ingredients and/or foodstuff. Preferably the ingredients canbe cooked in room 3. A cover element 4 is also provided which closes thecooking vessel 2 at least partially at a filling opening 2.1 of thecooking vessel 2. The cover element 4 can be configured in one piecewith a wall of the receiving space 3 or as a separate component. Inaddition, the cover element 4 has an opening 5 through which thereceiving space 3 can be filled with ingredients at least partially fromthe outside. To close the opening 5, a device according to the invention10 is also provided, which closes the opening 5 at least partially in ablocking position I. The opening 5 is then closed by a device accordingto the invention.

Preferably, the device 10 can be configured according to one of theprevious embodiments, especially preferred according to the firstembodiment.

The above explanations of the forms of implementation describe thepresent invention exclusively within the framework of examples. Ofcourse, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combinedwith each other without leaving the scope of the present invention,provided that this is technically feasible.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

-   1 Kitchen machine-   2 Cooking vessel-   2.1 Filling opening-   3 Recording room-   4 Cover element-   5 Opening-   5.1 Recess-   6 Opening edge-   6.1 First side of 6-   6.2 Second side of 6-   7 Agitator-   8 Cooking vessel system-   10 Device-   11 Support element-   12 Plug-in element-   13 Barrier-   13.1 Barrier element-   14 Free space-   15 Positioning means-   16 Collar-   17 Rising funds-   18 Interruption-   19 Functional element-   20 Storage space-   21 Slip protection-   22 Steam path-   23 Cavity-   24 Chute-   25 Fill level indicator-   30 Steam-   101 First material-   102 Second material-   103 First diameter-   104 Second diameter-   201 first tilting movement-   202 Insertion-   203 Centering-   204 Second tilting movement-   205 Pulling out-   210 Turning motion-   211 Steam outlet direction-   212 Second steam outlet direction-   I Blocked position-   II Release position-   III Tilt position

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for at least partially closing anopening of a cooking vessel, having a support element which can bebrought to rest on an opening edge of the opening of the cooking vessel,and a plug-in element which can be inserted at least partially throughthe opening, wherein the plug-in element has a locking means which canbe brought into a locking position in which the locking means interactswith the opening edge, so that pulling out of the plug-in element isprevented, wherein a free space is formed in the locking position atleast in regions around the plug-in element, as a result of which theplug-in element can be moved in the direction of the opening edge, sothat the locking means can be brought into a release position in whichthe locking means can be released at least partially from the openingedge.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein in the lockingposition, the support element can be brought to rest on a first side ofthe opening edge and, in the locking position, the locking means can bepositioned on a second side of the opening edge, so that the plugelement with the locking means and the support element at leastpartially engage around the opening edge.
 3. The device according toclaim 1, wherein at least one positioning means, by means of which theplug-in element can be centered in the opening, is provided on theplug-in element.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the supportelement has a collar which encloses the plug-in element completely. 5.The device according to claim 1, wherein the support element has astand-on-device by means of which the support element can be brought torest on the opening edge the support element (11) being spaced apartfrom the opening edge (6) in the region of the interruption (18) whenresting on the opening edge (6).
 6. The device according to claim 1,wherein a functional element extends from the support element and isaccessible by a user when the support element rests on the opening edge.7. The device according to claim 1, wherein a first material and asecond material are provided.
 8. The device according to claim 1,wherein a support surface is provided by means of which the device canbe set down away from the cooking vessel.
 9. The device according toclaim 1, wherein when the support element rests on the opening edge, asteam path can be configured at least by the at least one positioningmeans or by the interruption with the opening edge.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein at least the plug-in element or thefunctional element form a cavity which can be filled with an ingredient.11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the cavity projects atleast partially into the plug-in element.
 12. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the device is configured as a measuring cup.
 13. Thedevice according to claim 7, wherein at least the first material havinga lower hardness than the second material or the support element havingthe first material and a functional element having the second material.14. The device according to claim 8, wherein at least the plug-inelement having the support surface or the support surface having ananti-slip device.
 15. The device according to claim 9, wherein at leastthe plug-in element or the collar can be arranged at a distance from theopening edge at least by the at least one positioning means or astand-on-device.
 16. The device according to claim 10, wherein at leastthe cavity having a chute through which the ingredient can be poured outof the cavity or the cavity having at least one filling level indicator.17. The device according to claim 11, wherein the cavity having a firstdiameter on the plug-in element and a second diameter on a functionalelement, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter. 18.A cooking vessel system comprising: a cooking vessel to hold theingredients, wherein a device for at least partially closing an openingof a cooking vessel is provided, having a support element which can bebrought to rest on an opening edge of the opening of the cooking vessel,and a plug-in element which can be inserted at least partially throughthe opening, wherein the plug-in element has a locking means which canbe brought into a locking position in which the locking means interactswith the opening edge, so that pulling out of the plug-in element isprevented, wherein a free space is formed in the locking position atleast in regions around the plug-in element, as a result of which theplug-in element can be moved in the direction of the opening edge, sothat the locking means can be brought into a release position in whichthe locking means can be released at least partially from the openingedge, through which device an opening of the cooking vessel can be atleast partially closed in a blocking position.
 19. A food processor forpreparing foodstuff comprising: an agitator for mixing ingredients,wherein the agitator is arranged in a cooking vessel system comprising acooking vessel to hold the ingredients, wherein a device for at leastpartially closing an opening of a cooking vessel is provided, having asupport element which can be brought to rest on an opening edge of theopening of the cooking vessel, and a plug-in element which can beinserted at least partially through the opening, wherein the plug-inelement has a locking means which can be brought into a locking positionin which the locking means interacts with the opening edge, so thatpulling out of the plug-in element is prevented, wherein a free space isformed in the locking position at least in regions around the plug-inelement, as a result of which the plug-in element can be moved in thedirection of the opening edge, so that the locking means can be broughtinto a release position in which the locking means can be released atleast partially from the opening edge, through which device an openingof the cooking vessel can be at least partially closed in a blockingposition.